Political climate
This could be the start of something
The United States enters a period of potential metamorphosis. Promises made should be promises kept, and yet, if we expect a President Obama to be able to accomplish all those things we hope for we shall be sadly awakened in a world much the same as we experience today; a Bush world view.
I recall with awe the most important words spoken by Obama during his campaign. “Change comes from the bottom up.” That means change starts with you and me.
I’m reminded of the words of Gandhi, “You must become the change you seek.” I’m reminded of the words of the Democratic activist in Obama’s story, “Fired up. Ready to go!” And I’m reminded that Barack Obama himself was a community organizer. Change, indeed, begins at the bottom, it begins with us.
I guess that means that now would be the time to think about what we want to change. How can we make things better? What would you like to see different? And what are you going to do about it?
We could start with the obvious: Global warming, sustainable living, affordable and better education, alternative energy, affordable health care, and open and honest elections.
Michael Arnold
Bremerton
Reader feedback
What did we do?
On Wednesday, Adele Ferguson asked, “What have we done?” by electing Barack Obama. We have done what our country, what a democracy, does and always must do when facing severe uncertainty: We elect a Kennedy, a Perikles, a Regan, or an Obama. A transformational figure who inspires, a novus homo who brings fresh political blood to perceivably insurmountable problems. 125 million, and the world united in Chicago on Tuesday night in recognition of the fact that a new political epoch has been reached. Who else could have inspired us to shake off the apathy, to turn out? I saw inner-city, first-time voters sitting, listening, along side middle-aged workers sitting, listening to a man who talked only about the future, our future. I received a call from a friend at my alma mater where students had flooded out of the dorms into red square and were giving speeches. It will take nothing less, and certainly much, much more.
J. Colin Olson
Poulsbo
More on ‘doom and gloom’
I would like to respond to Ms. Ferguson’s “Doom and Gloom” forecast if Mr. Obama wins this election, which when you pull your head out of the sand, Adele, you will realize he has.
It makes me wonder what rock you have been hiding under for the last eight years while your best pal G.W.B. used fear and loathing as his running platform. You must keep a bottle of “GOP Rancor” close by to uncork now and then in rememberances of the good ole days of preemptive strikes and extraordinary rendidtion.
All in all Adele I still as a fellow American do respect your right to the opine or is it opinion of your convictions.
Michael Benton
Poulsbo
City Hall
So close, yet so far
I can’t tell you how upset I am right now. I was just up at Fishline and this past month they had 125 new emergency food boxes given out that’s new boxes as in over the normal number they give out. So while 125 new families need food the city is building a new city hall for millions of dollars just yards away. Nice.
Andrea Rowe
Poulsbo
Thank you
Appleton humbled by win
I am humbled and heartened by your vote. I believe it validated that I have been listening to you, and working for you. This election was about direction and confronting the issues that we will be dealing with the next two years. As I said during the campaign, my top priorities will be affordable health care, ferries, education, the economy and the environment. I will continue to advocate for the most vulnerable among us and defend those programs that are necessary for their quality of life.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope you will feel free to contact me if you have a problem with a state agency, or an issue you want to discuss. We may not always agree on some issues, but there will come a time when we will agree. Once you get elected you represent everyone regardless of party affiliation.
Sherry V. Appleton
Poulsbo
